Getting useful answers.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
What you are trying to achieve What you did What you expected What actually happened, exactly What you have already tried
WHY THE FIRST ONE MATTERS
Frequently the best answer is a different approach entirely, which nobody can suggest without knowing the goal.
WHAT TO QUOTE EXACTLY
Error messages.
WHY
Paraphrasing loses the detail that identifies the problem.
WHAT ELSE TO STATE
Software and versions Operating system When it started Whether it ever worked
WHAT TO REMOVE
Passwords, keys and personal data, from anything you paste.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Say only that it does not work Describe the problem as urgent instead of describing the problem Omit what you changed beforehand
THAT LAST POINT
What changed is the most useful information available.
WHAT TO DO AFTERWARDS
Say what resolved it.
WHY
It helps the next person, including future you.
